!['My life in danger' - English Alhaji raises alarm after receiving calls from bandits [VIDEO]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/English-Alhaji-Warns-of-Bandit-Threats-After-Video-Call.jpg)
Popular Nigerian digital creator English Alhaji has raised alarms about his safety after receiving a threatening video call from armed bandits. He shared this alarming incident on his Instagram account, which occurred just a week after he commended the youth of the Achepe community in Nasarawa State for successfully repelling a bandit raid. Following this, he questioned their choice to surrender captured gunmen to the military.
In a brief video posted on his Instagram, Alhaji, whose real name remains undisclosed, recounted that the bandits contacted him via WhatsApp and displayed firearms during the call. He reported their threatening message: “They said, ‘Why are you telling people to kill us? If you catch us, you will do the same to us.’” Alhaji noted that the attackers had acquired his contact information from his Facebook page.
His previous comments regarding the Achepe youths ignited a debate on social media. While he praised the community for thwarting the attack, he criticized their decision to hand over detained bandits to the military, questioning, “Why hand them over to the military? Do you want the army to reintegrate them?” He urged the youths to neutralize the captives instead of returning them to the authorities.
This warning from Alhaji highlights the escalating tension in Nigeria’s north-central region, where banditry has surged in recent years. Armed groups frequently target villages, farms, and commuters, often operating with little fear of repercussions. Communities like Achepe have taken security matters into their own hands by forming local vigilante groups to defend against such incursions. However, the practice of delivering captured suspects to the military has faced criticism due to concerns that former bandits may be re-armed or reintegrated without adequate accountability.
Security analysts have noted that the bandits’ decision to contact Alhaji directly indicates a growing boldness and an attempt to intimidate those who speak out. Dr. Chukwudi Okeke, a researcher on Nigerian security dynamics, remarked, “Public figures who comment on security issues are increasingly becoming targets. The use of video calls to convey threats is a new dimension that shows how technology is being weaponized by these groups.”
As of now, law enforcement agencies have not publicly addressed Alhaji’s claims, and it remains unclear whether he has reported the threat to the police. He has reiterated his concerns for his personal safety and urged fellow Nigerians to remain vigilant.
This incident contributes to the broader conversation about community-based security initiatives and the challenges of coordinating with formal security forces. As bandit activity continues to strain relations between civilians, local militias, and the military, situations like this underscore the delicate balance between self-defense and the rule of law.
Alhaji’s video has quickly gone viral, sparking widespread discussion across social media platforms. Observers are now closely monitoring for any official response from security agencies and for further developments that may indicate whether the threat will materialize.
